Patrick Stewart | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/profile/patrick-stewart
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 03 Mar 2015 23:20:01 GMT2015-03-03T23:20:01Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Celebrities and Labour apparatchiks out for fundraising dinnerhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/09/labour-fundraising-london-celebrities
Patrick Stewart, Janet Street-Porter, Keir Starmer and others gathered in London – just don't call it Cool Britannia<p>It has been billed as the &quot;hottest fundraising party of the summer&quot; featuring DJ sets from stars such as Eliza Doolittle. But before the Camden Beach opening party at London's Roundhouse later this month, the same venue played host to a slightly less cool fundraiser, featuring such delights as the chance to win an opportunity to take on Ed Balls and colleagues at five-a-side football.</p><p>That's not to say that Labour's pre-election gala, hosted by Stephen Fry, did not have some celebrity glamour to boast of. Patrick Stewart, Voice winner Jermain Jackman and the author Kathy Lette with husband Geoffrey Robinson QC were all among the early arrivals.</p><p>At Labour Party gala dinner. Grayson Perry introducing Ed Milliband, with mischievous irreverence ...&amp; neon stilettos <a href="http://t.co/qoTEgE4TGJ">pic.twitter.com/qoTEgE4TGJ</a></p><p>Loving Ed Milliband's tales of his wild youth in Camden - scoring his 1st Rubik cube &amp; playing chess behind bikeshed <a href="http://t.co/1pDpxFveKt">pic.twitter.com/1pDpxFveKt</a></p><p>They're bidding for th Grayson Perry work now. Reached &pound;35k. Frozen in terror, can't reach my wine <a href="http://t.co/QD9PKdjmwD">pic.twitter.com/QD9PKdjmwD</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/09/labour-fundraising-london-celebrities">Continue reading...</a>LabourGeneral election 2015Janet Street-PorterKeir StarmerAlastair CampbellUK newsEliza DoolittleStephen FryWed, 09 Jul 2014 23:32:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/09/labour-fundraising-london-celebritiesGraeme RobertsonLabour leader Ed Miliband arrives with his wife, Justine Thornton. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonGraeme RobertsonAlastair Campbell, former spin doctor of Tony Blair. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonGraeme RobertsonPhilippa Perry (left) and Grayson Perry arrive at the dinner on 9 July 2014. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonGraeme RobertsonPhilippa Perry (left) and Grayson Perry arrive at the dinner on 9 July 2014. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonBen Quinn2014-07-09T23:32:00ZBuzz Goodbody: the tin hut revolutionaryhttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/jun/11/buzz-goodbody-other-place-royal-shakespeare-company
She was the wildcat feminist who stormed the RSC – launching stars and gripping critics. Andrew Dickson on the short, fast life of Buzz Goodbody, creator of Stratford's Other Place<p>In April 1975, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/hamlet/past_productions/rsc_stage_1975.shtml" title="">a production of Hamlet</a> opened at The Other Place, the Royal Shakespeare Company's pocket-sized studio theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. A little-known 31-year-old called <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/ben-kingsley" title="">Ben Kingsley</a> was the prince. Elsewhere in the cast were Charles Dance and Mikel Lambert. The reviewers fell off their seats in shock. Nicholas de Jongh, writing for the Guardian, called the production &quot;totally unexpected&quot;. The Times' Irving Wardle confessed: &quot;It is a long time since I have been so gripped.&quot; He later ranked it one of his productions of the decade. In fact, played in jeans and shirt-sleeves to an audience of just 150, this Hamlet was proclaimed one of the greatest anyone could remember.</p><p>One person was not there to celebrate: the director, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzz_Goodbody" title="">Buzz Goodbody</a>. A few days before, she had taken a fatal overdose of sleeping pills in her London flat. She was just 28.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/jun/11/buzz-goodbody-other-place-royal-shakespeare-company">Continue reading...</a>Royal Shakespeare CompanyWilliam ShakespeareBen KingsleyFilmCultureTheatreStageWed, 11 Jun 2014 18:01:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/jun/11/buzz-goodbody-other-place-royal-shakespeare-companyJoe Cocks Studio Collection/Shakespeare Birthplace TrustThe Other Place. Photograph: Joe Cocks Studio Collection/Shakespeare Birthplace TrustPRPatrick Stewart as King John in 1970Zoe Dominic /PR‘It's hard to get your head round her impact' … Buzz Goodbody watching rehearsals in 1973. Photograph: Zoe DominicZoe Dominic /PR‘It's hard to get your head round her impact' … Buzz Goodbody watching rehearsals in 1973. Photograph: Zoe DominicAndrew Dickson2014-06-11T18:01:01ZBest Shakespeare productions: what's your favourite Macbeth?http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/mar/28/best-shakespeare-productions-favourite-macbeth
Rupert Goold's staging, with Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood, is one of Michael Billington's top picks. Which versions of the play have you enjoyed the most?<br /><br />• <a href="http://theguardian.com/stage/series/shakespeare-plays-as-you-like-them">Read more from the series</a><p>It used to be said that no actor ever succeeded as Macbeth and that it was more a brilliant poem than a stageable play. Both ideas have been knocked on the head in my lifetime. As a teenager, I was lucky enough to see <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/156853/Laurence-Olivier-performing-the-title-role-in-a-production-of" title="">Olivier's guilt-haunted, spiritually desolate Macbeth</a> (1955) three times. Two later productions forced one to re-examine the play itself. <a href="http://www.mckellen.com/stage/nunn.htm" title="">Trevor Nunn</a> in 1976 turned Stratford's The Other Place – nothing more than a converted tin shed – into a place of conspiratorial black magic: we, the audience, sat around a chalk circle in which Ian McKellen's thane and Judi Dench's Lady Macbeth seemed to be in touch with the forces of darkness. Then in 2007 Rupert Goold directed a production, first in Chichester and later in the West End and New York, that seemed even more horrific: the Witches appeared in the guise of ministering nurses, blood spewed out of kitchen-taps and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2007/sep/27/theatre4" title="">Patrick Stewart turned Macbeth into a figure of Stalinesque monstrosity</a>. Among many visiting Macbeths, I also recall Yukio Ninagawa's Japanese production (Edinburgh 1985), which with its cascading cherry-blossom and plangent music became a melancholic meditation on human transience.</p><p>• What's your favourite version of Macbeth? Let us know in the comments thread below</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/mar/28/best-shakespeare-productions-favourite-macbeth">Continue reading...</a>William ShakespeareTheatreStageCultureLaurence OlivierIan McKellenJudi DenchFri, 28 Mar 2014 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/mar/28/best-shakespeare-productions-favourite-macbethTristram KentonPatrick Stewart turned Macbeth into a figure of Stalinesque monstrosity in 2007. Photograph: Tristram KentonTristram KentonPatrick Stewart turned Macbeth into a figure of Stalinesque monstrosity in 2007. Photograph: Tristram KentonMichael Billington2014-03-28T12:00:00ZReaders suggest the 10 best ... British actors on American TVhttp://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2013/jun/12/readers-10-best-british-on-american-tv
Last week we brought you our <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/gallery/2013/jun/08/the-10-best-british-actors-on-american-tv">10 best British actors on American TV</a>. Here we present your thoughts on more standout performers in US series who really deserved to make the list <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2013/jun/12/readers-10-best-british-on-american-tv">Continue reading...</a>TelevisionFilmNurse JackieStar TrekBoardwalk EmpireAlan CummingStephen GrahamJonny Lee MillerWed, 12 Jun 2013 19:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2013/jun/12/readers-10-best-british-on-american-tvPRStephen Graham as Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire, Series 3Observer and Guardian readers2013-06-12T19:00:00ZThe 10 best Othellos – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2013/apr/21/the-10-best-othellos-pictures
As Adrian Lester takes the lead as the Moor of Venice in the National theatre's new production,<br /> we look back at past greats <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2013/apr/21/the-10-best-othellos-pictures">Continue reading...</a>William ShakespeareLaurence OlivierLenny HenryCultureRoyal Shakespeare CompanyTheatreStageSat, 20 Apr 2013 23:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2013/apr/21/the-10-best-othellos-picturesTristram KentonLenny Henry in Othello at the West Yorkshire Playhouse Photograph: Tristram KentonRobert McCrum2013-04-20T23:05:00ZSomething wicked: the best Macbeths in clipshttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2013/feb/28/the-best-macbeths-in-clips
As London's Trafalgar Studios hosts James McAvoy playing Macbeth set in a futuristic Scotland, here are clips of some memorable productions, from Trevor Nunn at the RSC to Blackadder<p><a href="http://youtu.be/2xHlngY6Bgk">Reading this on mobile? Please click here to view video</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2013/feb/28/the-best-macbeths-in-clips">Continue reading...</a>TheatreStageWilliam ShakespeareRoyal Shakespeare CompanyAntony SherJudi DenchTrevor NunnThu, 28 Feb 2013 12:09:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2013/feb/28/the-best-macbeths-in-clipsED/RM/Johan Persson/Camera PressMacbeth actors James McAvoy and Claire Foy at the Trafalgar Studios, London. Photograph: ED/RM/Johan Persson/Camera PressLyn Gardner2013-02-28T12:09:09ZDoreen Lawrence bears Olympic torch in south-east Londonhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jul/23/doreen-lawrence-olympic-torch-london
Carried aloft by stars of sport and screen, flame heads for live cameo appearance lighting up EastEnders<p><strong> </strong></p><p>Stephen Lawrence's mother has carried the Olympic torch through cheering crowds in south-east London before handing the flame to an eclectic relay of bearers including Andy Murray, Venus Williams, an EastEnders actor and a former captain of the Starship Enterprise.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jul/23/doreen-lawrence-olympic-torch-london">Continue reading...</a>Olympic Games 2012LondonOlympic torchStephen LawrenceSportVenus WilliamsSerena WilliamsMichael OwenFootballEastEndersTelevisionDramaSoap operaUK newsDoreen LawrenceOlympicsTue, 24 Jul 2012 00:40:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jul/23/doreen-lawrence-olympic-torch-londonDan Kitwood/Getty ImagesDoreen Lawrence (right) passes the torch on to Kieran Lang, the Young Mayor of Lewisham. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesDan Kitwood/Getty ImagesDoreen Lawrence (right) passes the torch on to Kieran Lang, the Young Mayor of Lewisham. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesLizzy Davies, Sam Jones and agencies2012-07-24T00:40:00ZLondon 2012 Olympic torch relay: day 66 – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2012/jul/23/olympic-torch-relay-south-london
The flame continues its progress through the capital <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2012/jul/23/olympic-torch-relay-south-london">Continue reading...</a>Olympic torchSportOlympic Games 2012UK newsAndy MurrayCelebrityVenus WilliamsEastEndersMichael OwenOlympicsMon, 23 Jul 2012 22:24:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2012/jul/23/olympic-torch-relay-south-londonJoe Giddens/LOCOGTorchbearer 095 Patrick Stewart carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Croydon. Photograph: Joe Giddens/LOCOGGuardian Staff2012-07-23T22:24:23ZSuperheroes movies like Avengers Assemble should not be scornedhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/apr/19/avengers-assemble-tom-hiddleston-superhero
From Superman to Batman, superhero films have much to teach us about faith and humanity – as well as being terrrific visual spectacle, writes Avengers Assemble star <strong>Tom Hiddleston </strong><p>Earlier this year, beneath the wind-whipped tarpaulin of a catering tent in Gloucester, I was working on a film with the actor Malcolm Sinclair. Over scrambled eggs at an ungodly hour, he told me something I had not previously known: when Christopher Reeve was young, barely out of Juilliard, he was roundly mocked by his peers on Broadway for accepting the role of Superman. It was considered an ignoble thing for a classical actor to do.</p><p>I grew up watching Superman. As a child, when I first learned to dive into a swimming pool, I wasn't diving, I was flying, like Superman. I used to dream of rescuing a girl I had a crush on (my Lois Lane) from a playground bully (General Zod). Reeve, to my mind, was&nbsp;the first real superhero.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/apr/19/avengers-assemble-tom-hiddleston-superhero">Continue reading...</a>FilmCultureAction and adventureComics and graphic novelsTom HiddlestonRobert Downey JrIan McKellenHeath LedgerJack NicholsonHarold PinterSuperhero moviesThe AvengersBatmanThu, 19 Apr 2012 19:33:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/apr/19/avengers-assemble-tom-hiddleston-superheroPhoto Credit: Zade Rosenthal/PRTom Hiddleston as Loki in Avengers Assemble. Photograph: Zade RosenthalSportsphoto Ltd/AllstarHanging on for a hero: the superheroes gather for the new movie Avengers Assemble. Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarJon Furniss/WireImageAvengers assembled … Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Robert Downey Jr, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Cobie Smulders, Chris Hemsworth and Clark Gregg at the London premiere of Avengers Assemble. Photograph: Jon Furniss/WireImageSportsphoto Ltd/AllstarHanging on for a hero: the superheroes gather for the new movie Avengers Assemble. Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarJon Furniss/WireImageMark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston and Robert Downey Jr at the London premiere of Avengers Assemble. Photograph: Jon Furniss/WireImageTom Hiddleston2012-04-19T19:33:00ZEpithet: a short film starring Patrick Stewart - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/video/2012/apr/19/epithet-young-vic-video
Inspired by the <a href="http://www.youngvic.org/">Young Vic theatre's</a> recent production of Edward Bond's play Bingo, Epithet – starring Patrick Stewart, directed by Angus Jackson and written by Mark O'Rowe – tells the story of a contemporary poet with a dubious background. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2012/apr/19/epithet-film-edward-bond-bingo">Filmed near the site of Paris Gardens in Southwark</a>, where bears were baited in Shakespeare's era, it is intended for a mature audience<br /><br /><strong>Warning: contains violent imagery and language</strong> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/video/2012/apr/19/epithet-young-vic-video">Continue reading...</a>TheatreDramaFilmCultureStageYoung VicThu, 19 Apr 2012 11:34:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/video/2012/apr/19/epithet-young-vic-videoYoung VicPatrick Stewart in Epithet Photograph: Young VicThe Young Vic and the Guardian2012-04-19T11:34:00ZDomestic violence blighted my home. That's why I support Refuge | Patrick Stewarthttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/feb/05/domestic-violence-refuge-government-cuts
Women who live in fear are being abandoned by the government, whose cuts are devastating charities like Refuge<p>I grew up in a home darkened by domestic violence – which <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/nov/27/patrick-stewart-domestic-violence" title="">I wrote about two years ago</a>. My father was an angry and unhappy man who was not able to control his emotions, or his hands. I witnessed violence against my mother and felt powerless to stop it. When <a href="http://refuge.org.uk/" title="">Refuge</a>, the national domestic violence charity, asked me to become a patron, I accepted without hesitation. I accepted for my mother. As a child, there was little I could do to help her. But now I can give support and encouragement to women who live in the same sort of fear that she did.</p><p>Forty years ago Refuge opened the world's <a href="http://refuge.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/history/" title="">first safe house</a> for abused women and children in Chiswick, west London. Since then it has grown to become the country's largest provider of domestic violence services. On any given day its services support more than 1,600 women and children. Refuge, and other women's charities in the UK, are vibrant, innovative and resilient. But they are being stretched to breaking point. I was shocked to read a new <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/31/domestic-violence-victims-risk-cuts" title="">report</a>, by the Trust for London and Northern Rock Foundation, whichhighlights how cuts are crippling vital services such as women's refuges. Local authority funding has been slashed by 31%, and Refuge has shouldered cuts to 50% of its contracts. On an average day last year 230 women were turned away from refuges because there was simply not enough space for them.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/feb/05/domestic-violence-refuge-government-cuts">Continue reading...</a>Domestic violenceWomenCharitiesVoluntary sectorPoliticsPublic sector cutsFamilySocietyLife and styleUK newsSun, 05 Feb 2012 17:34:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/feb/05/domestic-violence-refuge-government-cutsJane Bown/GuardianThe world's first safe house for abused women and children – set up in Chiswick, west London, by the charity Refuge – is pictured here in 1973, two years after the opening. Photograph: Jane Bown for the GuardianJane Bown/GuardianThe world's first safe house for abused women and children – set up in Chiswick, west London, by the charity Refuge – is pictured here in 1973, two years after the opening. Photograph: Jane Bown for the GuardianPatrick Stewart2012-02-05T17:34:00Z